THE 2ND AMENDMENT: REACTION TO THE COURT RULING

Voices

Some reactions to the Supreme Court's ruling that Americans have the right to own guns for self-defense and hunting:

"I'm thrilled I am now able to defend myself and my household."

-- Dick Heller, who sued the District of Columbia after it rejected his application to keep a handgun at home

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"The president strongly agrees with the Supreme Court's historic decision today that the 2nd Amendment protects the individual right of Americans to keep and bear arms."

-- White House Press Secretary Dana Perino

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"While it ruled that the D.C. gun ban went too far, Justice [Antonin] Scalia himself acknowledged that this right is not absolute and subject to reasonable regulations enacted by local communities to keep their streets safe. Today's ruling . . . will provide much-needed guidance to local jurisdictions across the country."

-- Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.)

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"For this first time in the history of our republic, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed that the 2nd Amendment right to keep and bear arms was and is an individual right as intended by our founding fathers. I applaud this decision."

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.)

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"I am profoundly disappointed in Justice [John G.] Roberts and Justice [Samuel A.] Alito, both of whom assured us of their respect for precedent. With this decision, 70 years of precedent has gone out the window. And I believe the people of this great country will be less safe because of it."

-- Sen. Dianne

Feinstein (D-Calif.)

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"From individuals being able to protect their family and their home to sportsmen venturing into the outdoors, this is an important and historic day for all citizens of this great country."

-- Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.)

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"More handguns in the District of Columbia will only lead to more handgun violence."